PREVIEW: Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 hits the streets of Monaco

In a change to previous years, the Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Series will make its first ever appearance around the streets of Monaco as a support to the Formula 1 Grand Prix, replacing its former parent series Formula Renault 3.5.

The 2.0-litre Renault-backed category will provide excitement around the tight confines of the Monaco circuit, with the young up-and-coming drivers all eager to prove themselves to the personnel in both the GP2 Series and Formula 1 paddocks as they seek to move themselves up in the motor sport ranks.

Motorland Aragon was the host of the opening races of the season, with Max Defourny and Lando Norris sharing out the three wins between them, the latter winning the final two races of the weekend following the formers win in the opener.

There were also podium finishes for Harrison Scott, Dorian Boccolacci and Jehan Daruvala in Spain, and with fifteen drivers securing top ten finishes and points, it bodes well for the season ahead.

But Monaco could and should be the biggest test of their season.

Whereas Motorland Aragon has a wide track (in comparison) and run-off areas in case of a mistake, there are no such luxuries in Monaco, and it will be a weekend where mistakes will be punished.

For those involved in the likely championship battle including R-ace GP’s Defourny, Josef Kaufmann Racing’s Norris and Daruvala, AVF’s Scott and Tech 1 Racing’s Boccolacci, a clean weekend and a good points haul in Monaco is a must.

Of course there are others likely to be knocking on the door in Monaco, such as Josef Kaufmann Racing’s Robert Shwartzman, Fortec Motorsport’s Bruno Baptista, Vasily Romanov and Ferdinand Habsburg, R-ace GP’s Will Palmer and Julien Falchero, Tech 1 Racing’s Gabriel Aubry, Sacha Fenestraz and Hugo de Sadeleer, JD Motorsports’ Alexey Korneev and James Allen and AVF’s Henrique Chaves.

Whatever happens, Eurocup has a tradition of having exciting and thrilling races, and it will be interesting to see if that continues in Monaco where concentration is paramount and patience and precision is required. Expect some incidents throughout the weekend, but this weekend could be one that gets a driver noticed by those who matter in motorsport.